Lancaster County election officials are urging early voters not to delay as the May 12 statewide primary approaches. Election Commissioner Todd Wiltgen says ballots must be in the hands of the Election Commission by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day in order to be counted. As of Monday, about 23,000 of the more than 35,000 early ballots issued have been returned.
Wiltgen is encouraging voters to act now, especially those who still have ballots at home. “Today is the last day early voters should mail their ballots allowing the U.S. Postal Service to process them,” Wiltgen tells KLIN News.
“The best method to return early vote ballots now would be to drop them off at one of the secure drop boxes. Ballots received after 8:00 PM next Tuesday will not be counted.” Secure drop boxes are available across Lancaster County, including at the Election Commission office on North 46th Street and four public library branches. Officials say the boxes are monitored by video surveillance and emptied daily by bipartisan teams.
Meanwhile, the deadline to request an early ballot by mail has already passed. Voters who missed that cutoff still have options. Wiltgen says they can vote in person on Election Day, or pick up and cast an early ballot directly at the Election Commission office.
Extended early voting hours continue through May 11, including evening hours on Wednesday and a Saturday morning option this weekend. With just days remaining, election officials emphasize that making a plan now is the best way to ensure every vote is counted.